Will My Milk Supply Go down When I Go Out of Town Without Baby?

Your supply will most likely go down, even if you're pumping every 3 (unless you're super pumper...most mum's don't get the same let down they do with the pump as they do with the wee ones).

The good news is: You're supply will go back up as soon as you get home.

So I would say, pump as convenient to you: 5-6, or 3. Our bodies are flexible things. And our milk supply is designed for adjusting to changing circumstances on short notice. Your baby could conceivably change to eating every 5-6 hours for 3 days, and then hit a growth spurt and be nursing every hour for the next 3, and then go back to every 3 hours for the next week. There have also been wetnurses throughout history, who actually add a whole 'nother mouth to feed ;) at some point in their nursing. So, relax. You'll be fine.

2 moms found this helpful

Call a Lactation Specialist, to get a professional opinion, I"m sure they deal with this all the time.

each woman is different... some have no problem and some do.
I would pump more often if you are able to. And perhaps consider what to do if you get engorged... for which pumping will help.

Feed baby as often as you can, when you get back.

DOES your baby take a bottle? Have you tried? If he does not... then, how will he be fed?
Consider all situations, and then a solution to it.

Also, if your supply is not back in full force when you get home... how will it be regained? Ask the Lactation Specialist this too. Perhaps, have in stock some Fenugreek and Mother's Milk tea, just in case, when you get home. So you are already prepared.

Each baby is different... and whoever is caring for him, must feed him on demand, since he is so young. 3 months old is typically a 'growth spurt' time....and he may need to feed more. NOT on a schedule. Consider that.

When you pump, try to pump both breasts until it is drained. Thus, your breasts, in theory, will produce more, or keep producing.

Then, consider what you will do with the pumped milk on your trip... toss it or store it? Thus, needing to have (on your trip) extra milk storage containers and a refrigerator/freezer or cooler with you in order to transport it all home with you. AND, if going by airplane... make sure you know the 'rules' for transporting stored breastmilk... I think there are rules/regulations on 'bodily fluids'?
Here is a link:
http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/children/formula.shtm

All the best, just some thoughts,
Susan

1 mom found this helpful

Just be sure to drink a lot of fluid while you are gone .... you will need to pump, and the fluids will help your supply.

1 mom found this helpful

G.,
I would try to pump as often as baby eats, but that's probably just not realistic. Maybe shoot for 4-5 hours instead of 3 or skip every other feeding time, so it's not as often. I would think that should be close enough to normal to resume regular feedings again, esp. since you will be away just a short few days.

As a comparison, when I went back to work part-time, it was not feasible to pump half-way through my short days, so I skipped it and was still able to nurse for all feedings on my days off/weekends.

oh yeah, It'll feel like a waste, but pump and dump, baby!

I hope you're going somewhere FUN! (but even if you're not, try not to stress over it/the pumping, b/c that could hinder your efforts)
-K.

Great job bf.
Your supply will come back in about 48hrs once you're home. Supply & demand. You can pump some to help while you're gone, but once your baby nurses again it will take care of itself.